Chapter Forty: The Life Every Man Dreams Of

From the bathroom to the bedroom, I never imagined things would become so wild. Sister Yuan’s passion was even more intense than mine, as if she intended to swallow me whole.

After who knows how long, we stopped, embracing each other as we lay on the bed, gasping for breath. Sister Yuan’s body was soft and supple, like a tuft of cotton, curling up against me with docility. Her hands stroked my face gently, her eyes shimmering with tender emotion, while a smile of satisfaction and happiness played on her lips.

I sighed with contentment and said, "Sister Yuan, you truly are a woman among women."

Sister Yuan smiled softly, leaned in to blow a breath against my ear, and whispered with a laugh, "And you are a man among men."

Ha, I was immensely satisfied to hear that.

A while later, noticing the bandage on my hand had come loose and the wound was bleeding slightly, Sister Yuan simply threw on some clothes and got up to fetch the styptic powder and bandages.

I didn't want to move, so I lay back comfortably. Sister Yuan sat on the edge of the bed, leaning over to re-bandage my hand with gentle, focused care, turning her head every so often to look at me with a faint smile.

Gazing at her, I felt a deep sense of fulfillment. "Sister Yuan, what time is it?"

"Past one o'clock."

"What?" I sat up straight immediately. "I need to head back."

Sister Yuan’s smile faded slightly. She said softly, "Alright, wait until I finish bandaging you, then you can go."

Once she finished, she got up to bring me my clothes. I was wearing a short-sleeved shirt; although it was a bit dirty, it hadn't been touched by any bullets or stained with blood. After dressing, we went to the hotel front desk to retrieve my car keys. Sister Yuan had arranged for someone to bring my car over when we first arrived.

The Yayuan Hotel was a high-end establishment, not only elegantly decorated but also featuring a spacious, landscaped parking area at the entrance. It was past midnight, and everything was quiet, with the streetlights casting a dim glow.

Sister Yuan affectionately linked her arm through mine as we walked through the gardens, looking for my car. Neither of us asked where it was parked, both wanting to take the opportunity to walk a little longer.

A thought suddenly occurred to me. "Sister Yuan, do you think they noticed that the BMW was mine?"

Sister Yuan leaned her head against my shoulder and pondered, "I don't think so. I had been sitting at the park entrance for quite a while; if they had seen it, they would have acted sooner. They probably only noticed my car later."

"Hmm."

After a pause, Sister Yuan whispered, "Don't call me Sister Yuan anymore. Call me..."

"Call you what?" I was curious, noticing her hesitation.

Sister Yuan smiled, her voice carrying a rare hint of shyness. "Call me Yuanyuan!"

I burst into laughter.

"What are you laughing at?" Sister Yuan let go of my arm, her face blushing as she glared at me in mock annoyance.

"Nothing, it's just that 'Yuanyuan' sounds very sweet and intimate!" In truth, I didn't know why it hit me so funny; it just felt so girlish, creating a charming contrast with her usual persona.

Sister Yuan glared at me and commanded, "Turn around and carry me on your back."

"Huh?"

Without giving me time to think, she pulled me around, wrapped her arms around my neck, and said, "Hurry up."

I had no choice but to lift her by the legs. Sister Yuan giggled and said bossily, "Since I’ve slept with you, you’re my boyfriend from now on, understand?"

I smiled. "You said that last time, didn't you?"

"Last time was last time; this is different." She tightened her grip around my neck and laughed. "I said last time that you hadn't seen through me yet. Have you seen through me now?"

I wasn't sure what she meant and, fearing I might say the wrong thing, didn't answer immediately.

"I can tell by your face you don't," she teased. After a moment, she leaned close to my ear and whispered, "If I told you that I haven't touched another man in the year or more since I became a widow, would you believe me?"

I was slightly taken aback. Realizing she was talking about her character, I nodded immediately. "I believe you!"

In truth, I had felt it before—although Sister Yuan seemed uninhibited, she also possessed great taste and principles; there was nothing about her that felt casual or loose. Simply put, being uninhibited did not mean being promiscuous.

Sister Yuan laughed happily. "Turn your head."

I turned, and she immediately pressed her lips to mine. I had to stop walking. After a long moment, she pulled away, giggled, and clung to me, resting her face against mine. She rubbed against me gently, sighing with a touch of melancholy. "My marriage was a tragedy, and I never felt the spark of true love. Ever since my ex-husband was killed, I decided I didn't want to marry again, nor did I want to fall into depravity. I just wanted to find a reliable boyfriend—or rather, a lover—to enjoy the feeling of free love and live out the rest of my life with style."

Not knowing how to respond, I said, "That is certainly stylish, and it suits you."

Sister Yuan smiled slightly. "I won't interfere in your life. I just hope you’ll come to keep me company whenever you have time, okay?"

I laughed. "Sister Yuan, this is the life every man dreams of. Even a pig wouldn't say no to that!"

"Good that you know!" She giggled, then added with mock dissatisfaction, "You're still calling me Sister Yuan. You aren't allowed to call me that when we're alone!"

I felt a bit awkward with "Yuanyuan," but after a moment, I said, "Yuanyuan."

She laughed immediately. "Turn your head again."

I turned, and she sealed my lips with hers once more. When we separated, I smiled and sighed, "Sister Yuan—oh, I mean, Yuanyuan—I feel like you’ve taken every advantage of me."

Sister Yuan giggled coquettishly. "I’m going to take even more advantage of you in the future. Are you scared?"

I wasn't scared, of course, but one couldn't be too stiff during such banter, so I played along. "I'm terrified."

Sister Yuan laughed happily, holding me close and whispering in my ear, "Be good. Your sister will treat you well, so don't be afraid."

I had stopped walking by then. After playing around for a while, she seemed to suddenly remember my injury, hopped off my back, and took my arm again.

Before long, we found my car in a parking spot under a tree. I sat in the driver's seat, rolled down the window, and said, "Yuanyuan, it's getting late. Go back and get some rest. If you need to deal with He Hu, let me know. I have a major score to settle with him."

"A major score?"

"Yes. We were classmates once, and he framed me, forcing me to leave my home. This is a debt I must collect."

In truth, while He Hu had harmed me, he had also, in a way, contributed to my current success. But his unforgivable crime was the indirect destruction of my father and my family. On that account alone, we were irreconcilable enemies.

Sister Yuan hesitated. "I really don't want to pull you into our affairs. I’m worried you might get hurt."

I smiled slightly and said earnestly, "Even if I didn't have a grudge against He Hu, given our relationship now, I wouldn't stand idly by."

"Such male chauvinism!" She laughed, giving me a gentle, sidelong glance, then leaned in to kiss my lips lightly. "Alright, I understand. Go on home now. Be good!"

"Yes, you get some sleep too."

After saying goodbye, I drove off, humming a tune on my way back to the villa. It was past two in the morning, and to my surprise, the lights were still on.

I walked up to the second floor and listened; it was quiet. Just as I was about to head to my room, I heard movement from Ling Xuan’s room. The door opened a crack, and she stood there in a loose white pajama set, looking weary.

I felt a strange sense of guilt and, fearing she might see the bandage on my left hand, turned slightly away from her. "Miss, why aren't you asleep yet?"

Ling Xuan frowned as she looked me over. "Why are you back so late?"

I smiled. "I haven't seen a friend in years, so we had a few drinks."

She studied me for a moment and said coolly, "Fine. Get some sleep; don't be listless tomorrow."

"Don't worry, I have plenty of energy. You should go to sleep early yourself."

"I was working. I'm finished now, so I'm going to sleep." With that, she closed her door.

I returned to my room and partially unwrapped the bandage on my left hand. The small, finger-width wound had already begun to scab over. I’ll keep it bandaged for now, I thought. I’ll switch to a adhesive bandage tomorrow, and if I wear a long-sleeved shirt, no one will be the wiser.